Change agents
Change agents
“Why,” asks Martin Foster after filing his story on corporate governance and the responsibilities of directors in Japan, “time and again, does it take non-Japanese to act as the catalyst for change in the Japanese corporate world?”
There are many angles to a possible answer, but the question clearly highlights the fact that Japan’s business culture has developed distinctive flaws that are liable to fester until catastrophe forces an exposé and reassessment. To be sure, change is happening, especially in industries most exposed to global competition. These are the ones that have installed truly global executives, and adopted their culture of openness, accountability and flexibility. Wholesale slaughter in Japan’s financial services sector, the retail revolution and the telecommunications revolution have also forced change, aided by a growing line of home-grown rebels (such as Softbank’s Masayoshi Son and Rakuten’s Hiroshi Mikitani). Still, there is much to be done.
One agent for change is the sheer number of non-Japanese executives doing business here. Since 1979, the European Commission’s Executive Training Programme (ETP) has produced over 1,000 graduates trained to operate in Japan or South Korea. Many of them are now successful and influential senior executives adding momentum to EBC initiatives for change. After a short break, the ETP is back, with new focus and an emphasis on practical outcomes. Its graduates will be more capable than ever.
A change agent on the political level is Ambassador Nobutake Odano (pictured). Turn to "Service in Brussels" for insights into his highly effective efforts as Japan’s ambassador to the European Union in Brussels.
In politics and business, our host nation certainly needs more change, but let’s acknowledge progress that has been made. EBC Personality Laurent Dubois has a fascinating story to tell. His career success illustrates well how Japan has cautiously but steadily continued to open the legal profession.
Agents of change, EURObiZ applauds you.